Linda Mtange, a former AS Dauphin Noir midfielder who joined Accra Hearts of Oak after a successful trial, has admitted that winning a trophy this season will be a difficult task for the team.
The defending champions of the MTN FA Cup, Accra Hearts of Oak, were eliminated from the competition by Dreams FC at Accra Sports Stadium, where the talented Congolese midfielder was missing in action.
The irony of Hearts of Oak being eliminated from the MTN FA Cup as they missed a penalty kick at the last minute to end proceedings at Accra Sports Stadium seemed unusual to the rainbow outfit.
After Accra Hearts of Oak released five players to Annor Walker’s CHAN team in Algeria, Linda Mtange, who has been a star player to the fans of the continental club masters, especially the chants of cheers he received when they played King Faisal in Kumasi, did not play in the match with reasons undisclosed.
Accra Hearts of Oak fans tried to inquire about the absence of Linda in their MTN FA Cup tie with Dreams FC; it was reported that the midfielder stayed away from the team due to unpaid remuneration by the management of Accra Hearts of Oak.
In an interview with Akoma FM in Kumasi, the Congolese international explained his absence and the team’s chances of winning the betPawa Premier League at the end of the season.
The talented midfielder denied reports that he had a falling out with club management over an unpaid signing-on fee, which had been broadcast on several radio stations.
He explained to Pepe Suarez of Akoma Sports, “Hearts of Oak are taking good care of me; they provide me with everything I need, and I’m enjoying my stay in Ghana with the club. I was even surprised by the publication; there is no truth in that report, and it is fake. The truth is that there is no problem. I only missed the game against Dreams FC because I was sick.”
When asked what the best strategy for winning the betPawa Premier League was now that their chances of a double trophy this season had been thwarted by Dreams FC last Sunday, the midfielder was candid in his response.
Linda stated, “It will be difficult for Hearts to win the league this season; the only way we can have a chance is for the players to play beyond the level we are doing now. It will take dedication and a strong mentality to help Hearts achieve our objective. We cannot end the season without a trophy, so after being eliminated from the FA Cup, we must come together and make fans proud by trying to win the league. But it’s not going to be easy.”
